HondaJet is Waiting for FAA Approval for Production This Week

Honda Motor Co had been trying to make jet airplane since the end of 1980s. After years of study, design and development, Honda is now ready to produce its first jet airplane, Honda HA-420.

Honda's endeavor to build the jet airplane started with a series of research and experiments. In 1992, Honda research team in-cooperation with Mississippi State University had sucessfullly built experimental jet plane MH02. Afterwards, Honda continued to prepare its jet plane and in December 2003, HondaJet HA-420 made its first flight.

According to Aviation Intenational News, since its first flight, the HA-420 program has amassed more than 3,000 flight hours, with five production aircraft flying. Honda Aircraft Co. CEO Michimasa Fujino said that function and reliability testing has been concluded, and that certification and first deliveries to be done by the year-end. "We are expecting FAA type certification of the world's most advanced light jet very soon," said Fujino.

Michimasa Fujino was assigned by Honda founder, Soichiro Honda in the field of aviation research since early 1990s. Fujino is a Tokyo University's gradute with degree in aviation engineering, and he had won many international awards in aviation and aeronautics. In 2006, Fujino was appointed CEO of Honda Aircraft Co, a new established Honda Motor's subsidiary to manufacture and market the production of HondaJet.

Honda Aircraft Co. established its global headquarters and manufacturing hub in Greensboro, North Carolina, and currently has more than 1,000 employees. In March, FAA has already received provisional type certification (PTC) that approve the jet design based on certification testing, design reviews, and analyses. The latest certification needed is to approve the production of HA-420 jet.

Japan Times reported that Honda is expected to receive the latest Federal Aviation Administration certification of HA-420 this week. That will be the last step before launching full production of the jet that can seat up to seven and lists for about $4.5 million. Honda says it has received more than 100 orders for HA-420, mostly from North American and European customers.

An expert in aerospace industry, Wayne Plucker told ABC News that Honda will produce a competitive jet in its class. It is because according to Plucker, who lead aerospace industry research in Frost & Sullivan, "Anywhere Honda gets into, they tend to grab a significant market share fairly quickly,"

As the first product of Japanese aircraft industry, Honda HA-420 wil be a serious competitor in the aviation business. This jet is said to be lighter, faster and more fuel-efficient than its competitors, like American's Cessna, Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer.